Telephone-talking figure toy simulator

ABSTRACT

Figure toy holds a first simulated telephone handset camouflaging a switch or other electrical connection to an electric phonograph in the figure toy or in a toy telephone having a second simulated handset through which sounds may be transmitted from the phonograph to a child-user. When the phonograph is in the figure toy, these sounds are picked up by the first simulated handset which is connected to the second simulated handset. When the phonograph is in the telephone, sounds are picked up directly by the second simulated handset through a hollow tube having one end provided with a sound-pickup horn mounted in the telephone over the phonograph speaker and another end connected to the receiver portion of the second simulated handset.

United States Patent 1191' Moquin et a1.

1451 *Feb. 26, 1974 1 TELEPHONE-TALKING FIGURE TOY SIMULATOR [75]Inventors: Leonard R. Moquin, Los Angeles',

Jurgis Sapkus, Manhattan Beach, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

[ Notice: The'portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Nov. 14,1989,

has been disclaimed.

[22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 282,886

[52] us. or. 46/232, 46/117, 46/175 AR 51 1m. 01 A63h 5/00 58 Field ofSearch..- 46/33, 117, 175 AR, 232

' [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,651,508 12/1927 Bocchino46/33 3,239,229 3/1966 Freeman 3,422,566 H1969 Wolf 3,475,856 I ll/l969Cowell et a1..

3,702,515 11/1972 Beasley 46/175 AR Primary ExaminerLouis G. ManceneAssistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Max E.Shirk; Franklin D.

.lankosky I [5 7 ABSTRACT Figure toy holds a first simulated telephonehandset camouflaging a switch or other electrical connection to anelectric phonograph in the figure toy or in a toy telephone having asecond simulated handset through which sounds may be transmitted fromthe phonograph to a child-user. When the phonograph is in the figuretoy, these sounds are picked up by the first simulated handset which isconnected to the second simulated handset. When the phonograph is in thetelephone, sounds are picked up directly by the second simulated handsetthrough a hollow tube having one end provided with a sound-pick-up hornmounted in the telephone over the phonograph speaker and another endconnected to the receiver portion of the second simulated handset.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Pmmm 3793.766

SHEET 1 OF 3 I Pmmenfmz 1 '3.793.766

sum'surs l TELEPHONE-TALKING FIGURE TOY SIMULATOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention pertains generally tothe field of animated figure toys and more particularly to atelephonetalking figure toy simulator.

2. Description of the Prior Art Figure toys and simulated telephoneshaving phonograph devices incorporated therein are known to applicants.

However, applicants are not aware of any prior art telephone-talkingfigure toy simulators, except the one disclosed in copending applicationNo. 214,802, filed January 3, 1972 by Noel F. Beasley and Ray Wever andheld by the assignee of the instant application.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION- THe primary object of the presentinvention is to provide a new and useful telephone-talking figure toysimulator.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a soundproducing device or phonograph is mounted in a toy telephone base. Afirst simulated telephone handset is adapted to be used by a child-userof the device and is connected to the telephone base by a hollow tubehaving a sound-pickup horn mounted inside the base adjacent thephonograph speaker for receiving sound therefrom. A second simulatedhandset carries a first electric switch for energizing the phonographand includes means for connecting it to the hand of a figure toy in sucha manner that the switch is closed as long as the second handset is inthe figure toys hand. A second switch is carried by the toy telephoneand is in series with the'first switch so that both switches must beactuated before the phonograph is energized. The second switch may beactuated by a child-user after dialing the toy telephone to simulate thecompletion of a call to the figure toy.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the figuretoy is provided with the sound producing device which maybe connected toa switch in the telephone base .by electrical plug-in means including afirst simulated telephone handset placed on the figure toy. The secondsimulated telephone handset includes sound transmitting means connectingit to the first handset which has a sound-pickup horn positionedadjacent the sound producing device in the figure toy. Thus, the soundproducing device in the figure toy may be actuated from a locationspaced from the figure toy by a user of the second handset in simulationof a telephone call from the user of the second handset to the figuretoy. v

In both embodiments the sound producing device is shown herein forpurposes of illustration; but not of limitation, as comprising a batteryoperated phonograph having an electrical switch either concealed in thehand of the figure toy, or inside the telephone base, or at bothlocations.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularly in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a telephone-talking figure toyconstituting a first embodiment of the present invention and depicts achild-user carrying on a simulated conversation with a doll through asimulated childs telephone;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, with parts shown in cross-section, of thetelephone used in the simulator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, transverse, cross-sectional view DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring again to the drawings, and moreparticularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a telephone-talking figure toy simulatorconstituting a first embodiment of the present invention, generallydesignated 10, includes a sound producing device 12 which is mounted inthe base 13 of a toy telephone device 14 (FIG. 2) in sound communicationwith a sound-pickup horn 16 having a sound outlet 18 connected to afirst end 20 of a hollow tube 22 whose second end 24 is connected to afirst simulated telephone handset 26 adapted to be used by a child-user28 to receive sounds from sound producing device 12.

A controlling means 30 is associated with telephone device 14 forcontrolling the operation of sound producing device 12 and includes afirst electric switch 32, which is mounted in base 13, and a secondelectric switch 34, which is mounted in a second simulated telephonehandset 36. Each switch 32, 34 includes a fixed contact 38 and a movablecontact 40 which may be closed by a plunger 42, 43, respectively.Plunger 42 is biased to a nonoperative position by a spring 44 andplunger 43 is biased to an operative position by a spring 45. Switches32, 34 are placed in series with each other by leads 46, 48 and 50. Lead46 has a first end 52 corin'ected to the firs t'contact '38 which islocated in the second handset 36 and a second end 54 connected to themovable contact 40 which is located in base 13. Lead 48 has a first end56 connected to the movable contact 40 which is located in handset 36.and a second end 58 connected to one side of the battery means 60 (FIG.3) which powers sound producing device 12. Lead 50 has one end 62connected to the fixed contact 38 which is mounted in base 13 and asecond end 64 connected to the other side of battery means 60, throughsuitable leads and a motor to be hereinafter described.

the figure The second simulated handset 36 connects a figure soundproducing device 12 operates only when handset 36 is connected to figuretoy 62. This is accomplished by mounting plunger 42 on handset 36 insuch a position that plunger 42 is depressed to close switch 34 whenhandset 36 is secured in hand 64 by engaging a protuberance 66 on handset 36 in a cavity 68 in hand 64 (FIG. 2).

Plunger 43 for switch 32 is mounted on base 13 between a pair of handsetcradles 70, 72 in a position such that handset 26 will depress plunger43 and open switch 32 when handset 26 is in position on cradles 70, 72.Then, assuming that handset 36 is in position in hand 64 with switch 30closed, sound producing device 12 will be energized as soon as handset26 is removed from cradles 70, 72. The toy telephone device 14 isequipped with a rotatable'dial 74 simulating a regular telephone dial. Achild-user 28 may dial a number on dial 74 and then lift handset 26whereupon sound producing device 12 will be energized.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, sound producing device 12 is shownherein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, ascomprising an electrically operated toy phonograph. The phonograph 12includes a housing 76 including a front housing half 78 and a rearhousing half 80. Front housing half 78 is provided with an annularshoulder 82 in which a speaker grille 84 and a speaker cone 86 aremounted. A vibrationtransmitting member 88 is operatively connected tospeaker cone 86 and is biased into engagement with a crossbar 90 on atone arm 92 by a compression spring 94.

The tone arm 92 includes a first end 96 which is pivotally connected toa fixed pin 98 affixed to rear housing half 80 and a free end 100 whichcarries a phonograph needle 102 and the crossbar 90. Free end 100 isprovided with an extension 104 which carries a depending pin 106extending into operative engagement wit a snail-type, tone arm reset orreturn mechanism 108 loosely resting on a rubber pad 110 carried by acentral hub 112 forming an integral part of a turntable 1 l4.

Turntable 114 includes an integral spindle 116 having a first end 118journaled in the front housing half 80 and second end 120 journaled inthe front housing half 78. A belt 122 connects turntable 114 to anelectric motor 124 through a suitable governor means 126 which controlsthe angular velocity of turntable 114 in such a manner that a phonographrecord 128 carried thereby will uniformly transmit suitable vibrationsto needle 102. Needle 102 tracks record 128 with depending pin 106following a radial rib 130 on return mechanism 108 until needle 102drops off the inner edge 132 of record 128. Extension 104 will thenengage mechanism 108 to support tone arm 92 and a switchengaging finger134, carried by tone arm 92, will engage an electrical contact 136moving it away from a fixed contact. 138 for opening an electricalcircuit to motor 124 so that turntable 114 stops. When motor 124 isagsin energized, by closing switches 32, 34, reset meachanism 108 willrotate with record 128 because of the weight of tone arm 92. Rotation ofmechanism 108 returns tone arm 92 to its FIG. 3 position at thebeginning-of-play of the information recorded on record 128. A tone armstop 140 may be provided in rear housing half 80 for engagement by tonearm 92 to prevent it from being carried beyond the outer periphery 142of record 128.

4 Fixed contact 138 is connected to motor 124 by electrical leads 144and 146, respectively. Moveable contact 136 is connected to motor 124 byelectrical leads 148 and 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a telephone-talking figure toysimulatorconstituting a second embodiment of the present invention,generally designated 10A, includes a figure toy 62A having the soundproducing device 12 of FIGS. 3 and 4 incorporated therein. A simulatedtelephone device 14A is shown in combination with figure toy 62A andincludes a first simulated handset 26A which is connected to a secondsimulated handset 36A by a sound-transmitting tube 22A, through base 13Aof telephone device 14A.

Controlling means 30A are associated with toy telephone device 14A forcontrolling the operation of sound producing device 12. Thesecontrolling means include a switch 32A, which is mounted in base 13A andan electrical plug 160, which is mounted on handset 36A. Switch 32Aincludes a fixed contact 38A and a moveable contact 40A which may beclosed by a plunger 43A through section of the action spring 45A whenhandset 26A is removed from its cradles A, 72A. Fixed contact 38A isconnected to one prong of plug by a lead 162 and moveable contact isconnected to the other prong of plug 160 by a lead 164. Plug 160 isadapted to engage a socket 166 in the hand 64A of figure toy 62A andcomplete a circuit to sound producing device 12 through leads 168, 170which pass through an arm 172 on figure toy 62A into a parallel circuit(not shown) leading to motor 124 (FIG. 3) in sound producing device 12from its switch 136, 138.

Handset 36A is in sound communication with sound producing device 12through a sound tube 174 having a first sound-collecting funnel 176positioned adjacent the mouth 178 of figure toy 62A and a secondsoundcollecting funnel 16A connected to speaker grille 84 on soundproducing device 12.

In use, child-user 28 may dial a number on a dial 74A of simulated toytelephone device 14A and then lift handset 26A. This permits spring 45Ato move plunger 43A to a switch-closing position overriding open switch136, 138 in sound producing device 12. This energizes sound producingdevice 12 which plays one of the messages recorded on record 128 causingsound to be transmitted through speaker cone 84, funnel 16A, tube 174,funnel 176, handset 36A, tube 22A and handset 26A to the child-user 28.When the recorded message finishes playing, tone arm 92 (FIG. 3) willopen switch 136, 138. The child-user may then replace handset 26A oncradles 70A, 72A to overcome spring 45A and move plunger 43A to aswitch-opening position.

While the particular telephone-talking figure toy simulators hereinshown and described in detail are fully capable of attaining the objectsand providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understoodthat they are merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodimentsof the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction or design herein shown other than as defined in theappended claims, which form a part of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a figure toy, a simulated telephone system,comprising:

a sound producing device;

a toy telephone device;

the means associated with said toy telephone device for controlling thoperation of said sound producing device; and I simulated telephonehandset means connecting said figure toy'to said controlling means insuch a manner that said sound producing device operates only when saidhandset means is connected to said figure toy.

2. The combination stated in claim 1, wherein:

a second simulated telephone handset connected to said toy telephonedevice for a user of said toy telephone device.

3. The combination stated in claim 2, including:

means connecting said second simulated telephone handset to said soundproducing device for transmitting sounds therefrom to said user throughsaid second simulated telephone handset.

4. In combination with a figure toy, a simulated telephone system,comprising:

a sound producing device;

- means for controlling the operation of said sound producing device;

toy telephone means including at least one base and first and secondsimulated handsets, said toy telephone means housing at least one ofsaid sound producing device and said controlling means; and

I sound producing device is mounted in said figure toy.

6. The combination stated in claim 4 wherein said sound producing deviceis mounted in said at least one base.

7. The combination stated in claim 6 wherein said controlling meansincludes a first switch means mounted in said base and a second switchmounted in said one simulated handset and wherein said connect-, ingmeans includes a hand on said figure toy to which said one simulatedhandset is connected in such a manner that said second switch inactuated.

8. The combination stated in claim 5 wherein said sound producing deviceis an electrically-operated phonograph, wherein said connecting meansincludes an electric receptacle mounted on said figure toy in electricalcommunication with said phonograph and wherein said controlling meansincludes an electric switch mounted on said base in electricalcommunication with said electric plug.

9. A telephone-talking figure toy simulator comprismg:

a figure toy having a sound producing device incorporated therein;

switch means for energizing said sound producing de- 6 vice, said switchmeans including a first simulated telephone handset and a simulatedtelephone base;

a second simulated telephone handset;

sound conducting means connecting said simulated handsets together forconducting sound from said first simulated handset to said secondsimulated handset; and

means placing said first simulated handset in soundtransmittingcommunication with said sound producing device.

10. A telephone-talking figure toy simulator, comprising:

a figure toy having a hand, said hand-having means provided thereonfor-connecting a simulated telephone handset thereto;

a simulated telephone including a base, a phonograph device mounted insaid base and first and second simulated telephone handsets, one of saidhandsets being. provided with switch means for controlling the operationof said phonograph device and with connecting means coacting with saidhand-connecting-means for connecting said one handset to said hand insuch a manner that said switch is moved to a phonograph-energizingposimeans connecting said switch to said phonograph device; and

means placing the other handset in sound communication with saidphonograph device.

II. In combination with a figure toy, a simulated telephone system,comprising:

a sound producing device mounted in said figure toy;

a toy telephone device; controlling means associated with said toytelephone device for controlling the operation of said sound producingdevice; means coupling said controlling means to said sound producingdevice; and means for actuating said controlling means to operate saidsound producing device. 12. In combination with a figure toy, asimulated telephone system, comprising:

a sound producing device; a toy telephone device; controlling meansassociated with said toy telephone device for controlling the operationof said sound producing device; simulated telephone handset meanscoupled to said controlling means and adapted for connecting said figuretoy to said controlling means;

means coupling said handset means to said figure toy;

and

means for actuating said controlling means to operate said soundproducing device, said actuating means being rendered operable by saidcoupling means. k I

1. In combination with a figure toy, a simulated telephone system,comprising: a sound producing device; a toy telephone device; the meansassociated with said toy telephone device for controlling th operationof said sound producing device; and simulated telephone handset meansconnecting said figure toy to said controlling means in such a mannerthat said sound producing device operates only when said handset meansis connected to said figure toy.
 2. The combination stated in claim 1,wherein: a second simulated telephone handset connected to said toytelephone device for a user of said toy telephone device.
 3. Thecombination stated in claim 2, including: means connecting said secondsimulated telephone handset to said sound producing device fortransmitting sounds therefrom to said user through said second simulatedtelephone handset.
 4. In combination with a figure toy, a simulatedtelephone system, comprising: a sound producing device; means forcontrolling the operation of said sound producing device; toy telephonemeans including at least one base and first and second simulatedhandsets, said toy telephone means housing at least one of said soundproducing device and said controlling means; and means connecting saidcontrolling means to said figure toy through one of said simulatedhandsets, said other simulated handset being connected to said base foruse by a user of said telephone system, whereby a simulated conversationmay be carried on with said figure toy.
 5. The combination stated inclaim 4 wherein said sound producing device is mounted in said figuretoy.
 6. The combination stated in claim 4 wherein said sound producingdevice is mounted in said at least one base.
 7. The combination statedin claim 6 wherein said contrOlling means includes a first switch meansmounted in said base and a second switch mounted in said one simulatedhandset and wherein said connecting means includes a hand on said figuretoy to which said one simulated handset is connected in such a mannerthat said second switch in actuated.
 8. The combination stated in claim5 wherein said sound producing device is an electrically-operatedphonograph, wherein said connecting means includes an electricreceptacle mounted on said figure toy in electrical communication withsaid phonograph and wherein said controlling means includes an electricswitch mounted on said base in electrical communication with saidelectric plug.
 9. A telephone-talking figure toy simulator comprising: afigure toy having a sound producing device incorporated therein; switchmeans for energizing said sound producing device, said switch meansincluding a first simulated telephone handset and a simulated telephonebase; a second simulated telephone handset; sound conducting meansconnecting said simulated handsets together for conducting sound fromsaid first simulated handset to said second simulated handset; and meansplacing said first simulated handset in sound-transmitting communicationwith said sound producing device.
 10. A telephone-talking figure toysimulator, comprising: a figure toy having a hand, said hand havingmeans provided thereon for connecting a simulated telephone handsetthereto; a simulated telephone including a base, a phonograph devicemounted in said base and first and second simulated telephone handsets,one of said handsets being provided with switch means for controllingthe operation of said phonograph device and with connecting meanscoacting with said hand-connecting-means for connecting said one handsetto said hand in such a manner that said switch is moved to aphonograph-energizing position; means connecting said switch to saidphonograph device; and means placing the other handset in soundcommunication with said phonograph device.
 11. In combination with afigure toy, a simulated telephone system, comprising: a sound producingdevice mounted in said figure toy; a toy telephone device; controllingmeans associated with said toy telephone device for controlling theoperation of said sound producing device; means coupling saidcontrolling means to said sound producing device; and means foractuating said controlling means to operate said sound producing device.12. In combination with a figure toy, a simulated telephone system,comprising: a sound producing device; a toy telephone device;controlling means associated with said toy telephone device forcontrolling the operation of said sound producing device; simulatedtelephone handset means coupled to said controlling means and adaptedfor connecting said figure toy to said controlling means; means couplingsaid handset means to said figure toy; and means for actuating saidcontrolling means to operate said sound producing device, said actuatingmeans being rendered operable by said coupling means.